Catholic schools today make up the largest non-public school system in the country. In fact, Catholic education in the United States is actually older than the United States itself. Because of the Spanish missionaries and priests who accompanied explorers on their travels in the Americas as early as the mid-16th century, Catholic education already had a strong foothold in North America by the time the first official Catholic school was founded in 1606. Are you interested in becoming a part of this long and rich history?

Why A Catholic Education

Catholic colleges and universities are great for students seeking a high-quality, affordable education in the US. U.S. News & World Report frequently cites Catholic colleges and universities as “Best Buy” schools, and the Templeton Foundation consistently lists Catholic schools as “Character-Building Schools.” Additionally, in 2013, an ACCU analysis showed that Catholic institutions of higher learning have baccalaureate degree attainment rates higher than any other sector of higher education.

Generally speaking, Catholic colleges and universities pride themselves on their commitment to community. Some offer special service opportunities, and some even require community service as a graduation requirement.

Diverse Education

If you decide to study at a Catholic college or university in the US, you will have a diverse array of schools from which to choose. In the US, over 720,000 students attend 221 Catholic colleges and universities. In fact, Catholic institutions of higher learning account for half of all students in the US who are enrolled in faith-based colleges and universities. These schools are spread out throughout 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, the Catholic colleges and universities in the US make up half of all the Catholic universities in the world.

No matter what you intend to study, there will be a Catholic school that suits your needs. In the US, Catholic institutions of higher education include: five medical schools, 28 law schools, 25 schools of engineering, 128 schools of nursing, 163 schools of education, 14 women’s colleges, and two aviation programs. These schools come in all sizes, ranging from fewer than 1,000 students to more than 20,000.

Although roughly 65 percent of undergraduate students enrolled in Catholic schools are Catholic, Catholic colleges and universities bring together people of all backgrounds and all faiths. In fact, these schools attract a higher percentage of minority students than four-year publicly supported colleges or other independent institutions. If you choose to attend a Catholic school in the US, you will be opening yourself up to a variety of new and different cultures and experiences.

If a Catholic education appeals to you, you might also consider applying to a Jesuit school

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